What’s clear is that Moss suffered through one of his worst Sundays as a pro, and certainly his worst in New England. And the Patriots need him as a factor for any hope of a long playoff run.

With that in mind, Tom Brady took to the airwaves Monday morning on WEEI with a clear goal of defending his teammate. Brady’s defense in bullet points, with a huge assist from Mike Reiss of ESPNBoston:

The interception Brady threw in Moss’ direction wasn’t the receiver’s fault: Moss went to the spot he thought the ball would be. “I don’t think you can blame Randy on that one,” Brady said.

“Randy is one of the best players in the history of the NFL,” Brady said. “When it
doesn’t go perfect out there, everyone wants to jump on Randy.”

Brady even went after Gamble: “I’ve seen plenty of plays made on Chris Gamble too over the course of the season.

Brady said the Patriots have got plenty from Moss all year, citing his top statistics. “Every game-plan that the defense comes up with is trying to stop Randy Moss. They all say ‘OK, we have to stop Randy Moss.'”

On his relationship with Moss: “He is one of the favorite guys I’ve ever played with. He’s one of my
good friends on the team. I’m always trying to keep everyone motivated,
whether it’s the receivers or the offensive linemen.”

And there you have it. If Moss was in the tank Sunday, Brady will do what he can to pull Moss out before its too late.

Brady,
Is a cheating Douche Bag. He needs to give up on the lime light (modeling) & focas on football. His team is tanking.

NFL_1974 says:Dec 14, 2009 10:00 AM

AWWWW…thats so sweet. Still doesnt change the fact that he quit on plays. Brady must be worried Randy wont keep biting pillows for him.

Joe in Toronto, Canada says:Dec 14, 2009 10:02 AM

Brady is acting like Moss’ father.
He was blasting him on the sidelines yesterday but makes excuses for him with the media.
Moss has always been a quitter. Hit him early and the job is half done. Throw in some cold weather, and the job is complete.
Moss should own all the WR records in existence because of his abilities, but ability isn’t everything.
Somewhere, Jerry Rice is smiling.

Emoney says:Dec 14, 2009 10:03 AM

Thank you Randy Moss. You put up a big ol’ goose egg on my fantasy team!
Gotta love the 16 yards and a fumble. Jackass.
You costed me a win and now I’m out of the playoffs.

leatherneck says:Dec 14, 2009 10:09 AM

As a Randy Moss fan, and a Vikings fan, I sincerely hope everything goes well for Randy Moss in New England.
Moss is warrior. He didn’t get his incredible stats and numbers from just showing up or having the gifts he does. He has that track record due to incredible hard work, effort, and pain endurance. His natural body language looks “casual” to your average person, but in fact he cares deeply about helping his team win and does everything he can to achieve that.
Moss is not a complainer. He just takes the load on himself and works harder.
Clearly, Bellichick screwed up massively by sending him and the other players home for being a few minutes late to practice on a day with extremely dangerous road conditions. That was just another dumb decision that BB has made this year. Of course, BB has never admitted any fault at any point in his life. Nevertheless, BB made a very stupid decision that should never have been made from a leadership standpoint.
You can call Moss fragile or whatever, but the truth is he cares deeply about helping his team, and how he is viewed by the fans and his teammates.
Randy Moss is supremely gifted and the Patriots would be utterly crazy to part ways with him.
Tom Brady going on the radio to defend Randy Moss is very, very smart. Bellichick should now do the same thing.
I wish Moss well in New England. That said, if Moss won’t be a Patriot next year, he would be welcomed back to Minnesota. Of course, that’s the call of Brad Childress, and the triangle of authority in Winter Park, ultimately, but let me tell you, the fans of the Vikings still love and adore Randy Moss. We will never forget Randy Moss.
There is only one Randy Moss. He’s a great guy and a great football player who gets bad reviews from the media sometimes. I would take him on my team any time.
Take care, Randy Moss.

Bee_Arthur says:Dec 14, 2009 10:10 AM

Please, just STFU on Moss. The Pats won didn’t they? Even if he was giving up they still double covered his lazy ass which makes it 10 vs. 9 for the offense.

sim448 says:Dec 14, 2009 10:14 AM

good. this is one of the things i love about brady. he knows who helps him win. if anyone can help fix this, it is brady. i feel a lot better as a pats fan after reading this, and i am not being sarcastic. attaboy tom, stick up for your teammates that matter.

jeff says:Dec 14, 2009 10:17 AM

Emoney says:
December 14, 2009 10:03 AM
Thank you Randy Moss. You put up a big ol’ goose egg on my fantasy team!
Gotta love the 16 yards and a fumble. Jackass.
You costed me a win and now I’m out of the playoffs
==============================
Asshat of the day front runner, so far.

stiller43 says:Dec 14, 2009 10:18 AM

If Brady thinks that’s a good defense, he’s a bigger idiot than I previously thought.
* The interception Brady threw in Moss’ direction wasn’t the receiver’s fault: Moss went to the spot he thought the ball would be. “I don’t think you can blame Randy on that one,” Brady said.
—–Since Brady didn’t admit fault for putting the ball in the wrong place, he probably is just covering for Moss and displacing the blame. Everyone who saw that play saw that Moss had limited effort.
* “Randy is one of the best players in the history of the NFL,” Brady said. “When it doesn’t go perfect out there, everyone wants to jump on Randy.”
—–That’s not a defense, that’s citing his previous achievements and the opinion that people unfairly point to Moss for his failures. Well, most of the time, there’s video evidence with him dogging it out there to make people speculate
* Brady even went after Gamble: “I’ve seen plenty of plays made on Chris Gamble too over the course of the season.
—–Changing the topic isn’t a real defense.
* Brady said the Patriots have got plenty from Moss all year, citing his top statistics. “Every game-plan that the defense comes up with is trying to stop Randy Moss. They all say ‘OK, we have to stop Randy Moss.'”
——How about these stats, Brady? The last 4 games: 11 receptions, 183 yards, 2 TDs.
* On his relationship with Moss: “He is one of the favorite guys I’ve ever played with. He’s one of my good friends on the team. I’m always trying to keep everyone motivated, whether it’s the receivers or the offensive linemen.

Everybody knows Randy Moss only plays when he wants to play. I just wish he was on my team playing when he wanted to play.
I sure miss him in Purple.

Patriots51 says:Dec 14, 2009 10:34 AM

Hey Ross’sSweetMinus, i read your post and quickly searched for my dictionary because i have never seen the word “focas” before and i assumed your vocabulary was far more advanced then mine… then i realized focas isnt even a word… JACKASS!!! please tell me how Brady cheated? thats all anyone ever says.. wahh the pats cheated? HOW???? why dont you say who your favorite team is? chances are they have steroid abusers or criminals.

paul says:Dec 14, 2009 10:58 AM

2 and 3 guys go with Moss on every play. When Welker starts getting coverage rolled his way that’s when you see the big strike to Moss. The both feed off each other. They need each other. If he’s playing hurt – who knows.
Bottom line is New England has zero pass rush. That’s the problem. They’ll score their share of points. If a friggin QB was anymore comfortable in the pocket against NE he would be on couch with a tv remote in his hand. These QB’s have not a thing to worry about. Wilfork and Warren are great against the run but they are not pass rushers. Apparently Burgess has been an idiot everywhere he has been. As far as Thomas goes I guess Ray Lewis was right – the Baltimore Ravens made his ass.

K-RoQ Smash says:Dec 14, 2009 11:02 AM

I’m putting the over/under for Patriots51’s age at 16.
The patriots cheated by videotaping opposing teams’ signals. They were told to stop, and then they kept doing it, making them extra-hardcore cheaters.

AbeFreshly says:Dec 14, 2009 11:03 AM

Moss pulled his baby act in Minnesota & Oakland, too. I guess”You are what you are”…or, should I say “He is what he is”? Nomesayin’? See what I just did there, Florio?
When he was in Oakland, I remember him arguing with Norv Turner on the sidelines on New Year’s Eve against the Giants. “You NEVER take your playmakers off the field!!” He screamed at Norv, as Norv was dealing with a goal-to-go situation inside the Giants’ 3 yd line.
After he shouted this, Moss started jogging back onto the field from the sideline. Norv (as if to spite Moss) changed the call, & went with the “Jumbo” package again. It failed. The Raiders turned it over on downs.
On another occasion, Al Davis HIMSELF told Moss (in front of the entire team) “Shut up & catch footballs! That’s the only reason you are here!”
Suddenly, Moss started NOT catching footballs, if you know what I mean. He would deliberately drop TD passes, or fumble after a catch, so as to give away the ball to the other team’s offense.
When I saw Moss’ antics yesterday, it reminded me of his BS in Oakland. It just goes to prove that he resents being talked down to, as if he were a child…& that he will PUNISH you if you dare to do it…even if it makes him look bad in the process. He will, in effect, cut off his own nose to spite his face.
Bilicheat was smart about it, though. He seemed to realize that using Moss as anything but a decoy could cause them to be 7-6, as Moss would have loved to fumble away the Pats’ playoff hopes, just so he could punish Billicheat for sending him home. Billicheat deliberately stayed away from Moss for the rest of the game, & the Pats won. IMO, if they tried to utilize Moss, Moss would have done something to cost them the game.
He did it in Oakland…& those Oakland teams did not need Moss’ help to lose. They were AWFUL. It kinda felt like Moss was punishing his Oakland teammates too, just because they were so awful!
Randy Moss’ baby act yesterday was Randy Moss saying “If you treat me like a child, I will PUNISH you. Even if I have to behave like a child to do it”. Nomesayin’?
It is what it is…

patsfanlisa says:Dec 14, 2009 11:13 AM

@Ross’sSweetMinus says:
December 14, 2009 9:59 AM
Brady,
Is a cheating Douche Bag. He needs to give up on the lime light (modeling) & focas on football. His team is tanking.
———————————————–
Yeah, the Pats are tanking…that’s why they’re the division leaders right now.

Professor says:Dec 14, 2009 11:27 AM

Some of you are complete terds.
leatherneck,
If Moss is such a warrior, then why does he let something like being sent home for being late bother him so much. He’s way too sensitive. Moss should have been sent home early. He was one of three guys out of 52 who couldn’t plan their morning well enough to get to work on time. Maybe if he was more responsible and had his shit together that morning he wouldn’t have been sent home. Instead he gets pissy and plays like a spoiled brat throwing a temper tantrum in the next game. Some warrior.
Patriots51,
Dude, this is a casual blog, spelling errors are going to happen. If that’s the best defense you have for your team, then don’t even bother posting a comment because you’ll have your ass handed to you in that debate. On second thought, maybe not. I’m sure your nerdy ass was on the debate team in school. As for the cheating thing, tell me your not serious. The Pats are one of the biggest cheaters in the past 20 years of sports. They’re right up there with Tim Donaghy. And dont’ tell me it wasn’t that bad. There’s a reason why Goodell destroyed the tapes before anyone else could see them. My guess is that the info on those tapes provided a significant advantage. And if you don’t know who Tim Donaghy is, look THAT up f-stick.

Chino780 says:Dec 14, 2009 11:29 AM

stiller43 has no idea what he is talking about.
Brady was blaming himself, not displacing the blame, have you ever watched a press conference before? Every player out there talks that way.
As for the rest of the quotes, I don’t see what is so wrong with sticking up for your teammate. The guy is still a great player, the whole team is having problems, it’s not fair to blame one or two guys.

The Coop says:Dec 14, 2009 11:52 AM

If the guy charged with covering Moss says he gave up……… sorry everyone, but he gave up. Why else would he say it?
Some of you need to know how to keep your answers concise. No one is interested in reading your novels.

Furious George says:Dec 14, 2009 12:10 PM

not that it matters anymore, since espn caused it to take a life of its own, but the reason goodell destroyed the tapes after leaking them to his wife, is they implicated other teams doing the same thing. the jets were caught in foxboro the game prior (playoff game in foxboro) doing it, jiimmy johnson admitted the cowboys did it as did many other teams… as far as “cheating” how exactly does a team benefit that much from taping somehting in plain view of 70,000 people? no hater has ever been able to explain that in 2+ years…

Detroiter says:Dec 14, 2009 12:10 PM

Professor says:
December 14, 2009 11:27 AM
The Pats are one of the biggest cheaters in the past 20 years of sports.
———-
In what way?

iusedtobeteddybayer says:Dec 14, 2009 12:20 PM

Emoney says:
December 14, 2009 10:03 AM
Thank you Randy Moss. You put up a big ol’ goose egg on my fantasy team!
Gotta love the 16 yards and a fumble. Jackass.You costed me a win and now I’m out of the playoffs.
You “costed” me? Are you kidding me? Did you miss conjugation day at your JUNIOR high school? Dummy.
Moss is a quitter. Go Fitz.

Frank says:Dec 14, 2009 12:24 PM

Professor,
Professor of what? Are you shitting me with that handle?
You spent a lot of time to writing a bullshit response. You call yourself “professor” and use terms like: f-stick? How about calling yourself Colonel Urinal? You’re an asswipe.

Ralphie says:Dec 14, 2009 12:39 PM

@stiller43 says:
December 14, 2009 10:18 AM
If Brady thinks that’s a good defense, he’s a bigger idiot than I previously thought.
______________________________
You should take the time to question your own gutless team douchebag. You and the Shittsburgh faithful have enough issues. At least NE won.
Oh wait, nothing wrong with the gutless Shittsburgh players, or the HC mailing it in, it’s all the OC’s fault.

Furious George says:Dec 14, 2009 12:49 PM

yeah, comparing the Pats to donaghey is one of the most ridiculous things ive read, even from a football fan. it could be argued the dolphins purchasing audio of Bradys cadences etc from an outside source and then using it to shut the Pats out is worse, also the colts and thier history of pumping in fake crowd noise when the opposition is trying to run offensive plays… but the way i look at it is its all “home field advantage”… deal with it and do what you want when they come to your park….

wrath4771 says:Dec 14, 2009 1:16 PM

And that is one of the many reasons why Tom Brady is a leader and a winner. I hope Moss appreciates his quarterback going out there for him.

Didier says:Dec 14, 2009 4:44 PM

I think there has been some subtle racism in the coverage of Randy Moss today.
Randy Moss is as much to blame about his own negative public persona as anyone, but the media looked the other way for years at signs of imperfection because Tiger Woods was marketed to appeal to white America, while Randy Moss was not.
Randy is who he is — complicated, enigmatic, competitive, and supremely talented, but what you see is what you get.
Tiger, on the other hand, was well-spoken, quietly gregarious, competitive, and supremely talent, and everyone assumed “what you see is what you get.”
Randy received almost no endorsements.
Tiger was showered with endorsements.
And, in the end, Randy is criticized as a “quitter,” which is the worst thing you can call any athlete and Tiger could do no wrong until his wrongs were so profound, they could not be ignored.
Now, ask yourself, why did Tiger get a pass for years, while Randy’s every minor transgression is amplified by tenfold?